This year seems to have brought us one challenge after another, forcing many of us to work and connect in ways we have not navigated before.

However, as Girl Scouts we are go-getters, innovators, risk takers and leaders! We are resilient and capable, and if anyone can make it through the challenges of 2020 successfully, its Girl Scouts.

Now, possibly more than ever, girls are looking to you for a consistent, reliable, and stable presence in their lives. So how do you do this in the virtual space many of us are so new to? We are here to help!

Check out some of our tips, opportunities and resources to make sure you and your Girl Scouts are having the best possible time while staying safe at home!

Head to GSWO Girl Scouts at Home

This is a great place to start when planning a virtual experience with your Girl Scouts! First, review the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Virtual Meetings to ensure you’re keeping girls safe. Download Hosting Virtual Group/Troop Meetings to help you get started with planning your troop meetings. Here you’ll find fun ice breakers, best practices, guidance in selecting a meeting platform, (Google Meet, Zoom, etc.), sample meeting agendas and more.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio jumped into the virtual world this spring and recorded 150 virtual programming videos aimed at completing specific steps of our badges and journeys. These and some of our favorite Girl Scout traditions are available to all grade levels.

You also have access to GSUSA Girl Scouts at Home that includes badge and journey videos from councils across the country. (You might even see a few familiar faces from GSWO!)

A great way to utilize these videos is by assigning or having your girls select a video to view and complete the steps presented. When your troop meets, have the girls share their experiences and complete the final steps of that badge or journey together.

Explore the new THRIVE 2020 Patch Program

This patch program is designed specifically to encourage girls to Take Action, research History, be socially Responsible, Inspire, become Virtually connected and Engage with others. Depending on your age level, you must complete a certain amount of activities from each category to complete the requirements for the patch.

Consider assigning certain activities to the girls to do with their families before the meeting. When you meet as a group, have the girls share the activities that they chose to complete and choose some more activities to complete together.

This patch can be completed over the course of a few meetings with having a blended learning style of working independently and as a group!

Look for virtual program opportunities

Girl Scouts has adapted many programs to a virtual setting where girls can connect, collaborate and explore together. These opportunities include badge workshops, panels, and much more!

You can explore all Girl Scouts of Western Ohio program events online. Girl Scouts can even participate in nationwide opportunities! GSUSA has virtual programs and opportunities for girls, caregivers, troop leaders, and alum.

Get families involved

Our final tips is to take this opportunity, while many families are spending more time together at home, to encourage the whole family to get involved. Invite parents, caregivers and even siblings to join in, whether that’s helping their Girl Scout complete a badge steps from a video, work on a new skill during or after a meeting, exploring the THRIVE patch, or participating in opportunities on their own. This is a great opportunity for Girl Scouts to bring the family together.

We know that this Girl Scout year is going to look a little different, but we also know girls are looking forward to hanging out with their Girl Scout sisters, no matter where or how.

As always please feel free to reach out to your Girl Scout support system. Fellow troop leaders, your service unit, and GSWO Staff are here to help you every step of the way.

You’ve got this, Girl Scout!